Help Identifying a Radio

[zKars]

Ok gang, I need a hand identifying an un-marked radio. The ID tag is missing and buttons are un-marked with AM or FM. The wiring, antenna switch, case style etc sure look like a Z radio.

Thoughts? Make model Year range? 

Any one want it? At least for the RF Choke and fuse assembly? 

 

 

 

Edited April 25, 2020 by zKars

[Zup]

I'd have to unpack my stash of Z radios to see for sure, but that tag shown in the photo looks very familiar. I think it is a serial number and if matched against others would yield the model of this one. To me it initially looks like it is an early Hitachi signal seeker as referenced by the position of the antennae switch on the side. I am unaware of any AM/FM units that had the side mounted rocker style switch. Those later units had the momentary switch mounted on the top right hand corner and it was of a different design.

Open that puppy up and take a photo----it will be definitive once we see.

29 minutes ago, zKars said:

Any one want it? At least for the RF Choke and fuse assembly? 

@Gav240z 

Maybe more than you need, but I knew Jim would have the parts!

[zKars]

Thanks Jim! I will definitely take the top off and take more pictures. The antenna switch position was also a clue I assumed meant it was an early Z radio but the ones I'd seen prior had AM on all the buttons. There is no sign of that on these.

I will of course feel obliged to maybe power it up and enjoy some local scratchy country AM radio!

Edited April 25, 2020 by zKars

[Namerow]

4 hours ago, zKars said:

At least for the RF Choke and fuse assembly? 

@Gav240z

[zKars]

Here is the innards. 

And it works.....

Got a video of it tuned into the worst scratchy old country AM station around here... 

 

[Zup]

Well-------ahem------the value of this one just skyrocketed!!

Looks great on the inside. Don't get too carried away with cleaning and lubrication. A little tuner cleaner into the potentiometers on the front knob areas will help with accumulated dirt and grit, reducing scratchiness and will help smooth rotation of the controls. Not sure anything can be done for AM sound with this unit--- ? ---- it'll never sound like Dolby. ? 

Of course now you know you are into about $200.00 worth of knobs and faceplate reproductions from Steve Nixon and indeterminate costs for re-plating of the case.

Should be a nice diversion from transmissions.

Where's the video???

 

 

Edited April 25, 2020 by Zup

[zKars]

Video coming. It's taking its sweet time downloading. It is currently "Queued".   Like being in the lineup at Costco for gosh sakes....

And I'm not even slightly surprised that some vulture has now swooped in and made me an offer I could not refuse!!!  Lance, you know who you are.....

Time to dig out the other 17 radio's I have somewhere.....  ?

 

 

 

[zKars]

Okay here 's a gem no one can resist!

I've tossed all my old cassettes a long time ago.

[zKars]

The long awaited video 

 

[Gav240z]

It's definitely a TM-1081ZB(S) radio. Out of early 240z.

 

Let me know if you have any RF Chokes / Fuse Assemblies you can part with?

[zKars]

Thanks for the definite ID Gav.  Suspicions confirmed.

The only RF Chokes/Fuse thingys I have are firmly attached to 1520ZC radio’s. 

Edited April 26, 2020 by zKars

[Zup]

Congratulations Jim on the resurrected radio!

A proper video for inclusion into the Hitachi AM Signal Seeking Radio Brotherhood would include actuation of the signal seeking feature demonstrating the automated hands free tuning which made them decades ahead of their time in providing "distracted driver" safety.

S30driver and I did this one some time ago.

The beauty of these nearly 50 year old radios is that they can be serviced and brought back to life. Often times the replacement of the electrolytic capacitors and/or occasionally the power transistors is what is needed to make them function. The parts are still available.